The Breezy Point North Stars fell to the Alexandria Blizzard 5-3 in North American Tier III junior hockey on Saturday, Feb. 8, at Breezy Point Arena.

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Alexandria assumed a 3-0 lead in the first period, sparked by a pair of goals by Joe Anderson. Crosby Steen cut the deficit at 29 seconds of the second period, but Anderson completed his hat trick for a 4-1 lead. Blake Neumann and Chris Hjorth netted power play goals for Breezy Point to make it 4-3.

The Blizzard added an insurance goal in the third period for a two-goal lead. The North Stars enjoyed a 27-26 edge in shots. Winning goaltender Tanner Elmore stopped 24 shots while Joey Bergquist turned aside 21.

On Friday, Feb. 7, the North Stars edged the Minnesota Flying Aces 2-1 in Little Falls. Minnesota scored first when Bradee Thompson tallied in the second period. Breezy Point tied it when Joe Laskero scored at 1:13 of the third period.

The North Stars scored the game winner at 1:58 of overtime on Steen’s goal, which was assisted by Laskero. Bergquist stopped 28 shots while Jaxson Gosnell had 36 saves.

The North Stars, 8-31-2 overall, play at Alexandria on Saturday, Feb. 15.

North Stars honored

Steen, the North Stars’ captain, and teammates Bo Borowski and Blair Seitz were selected to play in the North American Tier III Top Prospects tournament on Feb. 17-19 in Troy, Mich.

The NA3HL Top Prospects Tournament has quickly become one of the most highly-scouted events of its kind, with hundreds of junior, NCAA and NHL expected in attendance this season.

It will take place at the Troy Sports Center. At the event, four teams representing four divisions of the NA3HL will each play three games.

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